Chiffon with Interesting Closing Technology

Semaniere with interesting locking technology

belgium
walnut, oak
early 19th century

dimensions: h x w x d: 142 x 127 x 51 cm

:
small antique cabinet with drawers behind the doors. Due to its shape and function, this piece of furniture is also known as a chiffoniere or semaniere. If the internal drawers are not to your liking, they can be removed to create an interior with shelves.

a piece of furniture standing on short pointed legs with an almost square front view. We see three drawers at the bottom, two doors above and a row of three drawers and a tableau pull-out at the top. To avoid interrupting the grain pattern, the doors are fitted with tongue and groove interlocking instead of a bevelled edge. This can be clearly seen in one of the photos.
the top of the piece of furniture is finished off with a loose marble top.

the cabinet’s unusual locking and opening mechanism is unique. A key can be used to lock the doors, the tableau pull-out and the centre drawer at the top and bottom. This is made possible on the one hand by the lock, which simultaneously locks upwards and downwards, and on the other hand by a latch mounted on the inside of the right-hand door.
pressing the top left-hand drawer opens the handleless panel pull-out, while pressing the right-hand drawer opens the handleless doors. An interesting, rare and well thought-out patent.
also worth mentioning is the original key with an exact mating fit in the coat of arms-shaped key plate.

condition: restored and matt polished with shellac. The mechanics of the locking system work perfectly.